A new £5 million school still under construction has already become the victim of theft and vandalism, forcing authorities to delay its opening.

Thieves stole copper pipes and caused extensive damage to the heating and water systems of brand-new Henhurst Ridge Academy, near Tatenhill, which was due to open for the very first time in September.

Children who were were looking forward to starting their new school year at Henhurst Ridge will now have to join the classes at the nearby Scientia Academy until work is finally completed.

Thieves broke into the under-construction Henhurst Primary a few weeks ago, stealing a substantial amount of specially-made copper piping and associated fittings from the plant room. The news has only just been released to the media.

Henhurt Ridge School in Burton was due to open in September (Image: Reporter)

The theft means the school will not have access to heating and water by the time term starts on September 4, meaning it cannot open for weeks after that date.

Staffordshire County Council and Academy sponsors REAch2 have been busy working on alternative education arrangements for the children.

"These appear to have been well-prepared, professional thieves who knew exactly where to go and what to steal from a well-secured building.

"It’s incredibly disappointing for the children, who I know were looking forward to starting their school life in a brand new, state-of-the-art school.

“Our priority is the children and their education and I’m pleased that REAch2 has been very pro-active in putting alternative arrangements as quickly as possible.

"Our contractor will also be pulling out all the stops to get the build back on track.”

Cooper piping has been ripped from the walls (Image: Staffordshire County Council)

Questioned on whether the county council did enough to secure the site, a county council spokesman said: "The security was no different to any other construction site – unfortunately, people who are determined to break in will always find a way."

Head teacher Charlotte Hopkins said: “We are all really disappointed that our new school has been targeted in such a way, and we know that parents and the children will be disappointed too.